Daily Business Report: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022
Could this COVID program help
reduce the California housing crisis?
By Manuela Tobias and Jeanne Kuang | CalMatters
SUMMARY
An emergency housing voucher program offers improvements to the decades-old federal solution to the housing affordability crisis, but landlord reluctance remains a crucial hurdle
________________________________________________________________________
Section 8 vouchers have been one of the federal government’s landmark responses to unaffordable housing for half a century. But too often in California, families sit on a waitlist for years only to see their once-golden ticket expire before they can find a home.
A fresh batch of emergency vouchers became available last year to address growing housing insecurity during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic — and local and federal officials watching their rollout believe the new vouchers’ features already offer some promising solutions to a broken system.
Housing choice vouchers, added in 1974 to Section 8 of the federal Housing Act of 1937, allow low-income tenants to pay only 30% of their income toward rent and utilities while Uncle Sam shoulders the rest. These vouchers have helped pay rent for more than 300,000 households in California this year, totaling $1.9 billion in assistance.
But only one in four needy households get help, and the vouchers end up passing through multiple families’ hands before turning into a rent check because many landlords reject them.
The new set of vouchers released in May 2021 came with looser rules and more generous incentives to help persuade landlords to take them. Instead of any low-income household, these vouchers target people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or fleeing domestic violence — typically considered the most challenging groups to house.
Photo: Emergency housing voucher recipient Mitchell Friedeck serves his three children dinner in their apartment in Nipomo on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo by Julie Leopo for CalMatters)
Biocom California calls for nominations for
seventh annual Life Science Catalyst Awards
Biocom California, the association representing the California life science industry, is calling for entries for the seventh annual Life Science Catalyst Awards from the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego and Los Angeles regions. The awards celebrate accomplished and up-and-coming academics, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders and business advisers who are making their mark on the California life science industry before reaching their 40th birthday. Visit www.biocom.org.
Nominations for the award will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. Honorees will be featured in the Biocom California LifeLines digital platform and newsletter, on social media platforms and celebrated on stage at the Biocom California Annual “Celebration of Life” Dinner on Nov. 10, 2022. The Life Science Catalyst Award will honor standouts from the following areas:
• Biotechnology (health care, industrial, environmental)
• Pharmaceuticals
• Genomics
• Medical Devices
• Diagnostics
• Digital Health
• Universities and Research Institutes
• Business Consulting
• Venture Capital
San Diego Community College District’s career
education programs have $1.6 billion economic impact
A recent study found that the economic impact that the career education programs within the San Diego Community College District have on the region totals $1.6 billion ― the economic equivalent of hosting four Super Bowls.
The economic impact of the programs is wide-ranging, from training students for higher-paying jobs ― meaning they pay more in taxes ― to the employees and services that the district utilizes to provide top-quality programs. As a result of the added income to the area’s economy, career education programs at the district’s four colleges ― San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, and the non-credit San Diego College of Continuing Education ― support more than 19,000 jobs in the region.
The study by Emsi Burning Glass (now Lightcast), a labor market data company, focused on the career education programs offered at the district’s colleges. More than 300 career education certificate and degree programs are offered at the colleges, including accounting, cybersecurity, hospitality management, medical assisting, and welding technology.
Persephone Biosciences announces first
participant in proprietary My Baby Biome study
Persephone Biosciences Inc., a synthetic biology company reimagining patient and infant health through the development of microbiome-based medicines, announced that it has enrolled the first subject in its My Baby Biome observational study to determine specific biomarkers that are associated with a healthy infant gut.
The My Baby Biome observational study is designed to help define a healthy infant microbiome using real-world data and inform the development of live biotherapeutics, so that eventually all babies can develop a healthy gut microbiome. Parents who register at persephonebiosciences.com/mybabybiome/ will be provided with an easy-to-use collection kit with prepaid shipping to return their newborn’s sample. The nationwide study will then follow participants for seven years after initial testing, with parents asked to complete periodic questionnaires detailing any evolving health issues their child experiences, such as allergies and skin issues.
Carolin Botzenhardt joins UBS Private Wealth Management
Carolin Botzenhardt has joined UBS Private Wealth Management as a private wealth adviser in the La Jolla branch office. moved to UBS to leverage the firm’s extensive global resources, robust global family office services and sophisticated investment banking capabilities in order to address the complex wealth needs of the families she serves.
Botzenhardt has more than 20 years of experience managing the complex wealth needs of high-net-worth individuals, family office and institutional clientswith over $100 million in liquid assets.
Her areas of expertise include investment management, trust and estate planning, residential, commercial and structured lending solutions, as well as capital markets and foreign exchange.
She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of California San Diego where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in international affairs and finance.
Illumina Genomics Forum Sept. 30
to feature Bill Gates in a keynote address
Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced that its Illumina Genomics Forum on Sept. 30 will feature Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who will deliver a keynote address on the remarkable potential of genomics to change the trajectory of global health. In addition, IGF will host a panel session titled “Making ‘Genomics for All More than a Mantra,” on the requirements needed to ensure broader access to genomic health.
“Genomics should be available to the many, not the few, and even though the genomic health era has already led to breakthrough discoveries that are advancing medical care, the benefits have not yet had a true global impact,” said Kathryne Reeves, chief marketing officer for Illumina. “Through sessions led by Bill Gates and expert panelists, Illumina Genomics Forum will help attendees see and understand the path toward global health equity.”
Wounded Warrior Project, VA to sponsor
National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is teaming up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to host nearly 80 veterans for the 15th annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic this week in San Diego. In addition to sponsoring the event, WWP will be on-site to facilitate the weeklong clinic with cycling professionals from the nonprofit’s Soldier Ride program.
VA’s National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is a rehabilitative and educational hands-on program that offers wounded veterans from across the country an opportunity to engage in adaptive sports and recreational activities. The event – an extension of rehabilitation care veterans receive at VA facilities – introduces and strengthens knowledge of different sports and the modified techniques designed to address specific injuries, including spinal cord injury, visual impairments, orthopedic amputation, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Optimizely to present Opticon 2022
Optimizely, a leading digital experience platform (DXP) provider, announced its annual user conference, Opticon 2022, is taking place Oct. 3-5, 2022, in San Diego. The company’s first in-person user conference will showcase how customers and partners are continuously optimizing their digital experience across all channels to drive customer intimacy and business growth.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson will keynote Optimizely’s flagship event, sharing his experiences on what it takes to succeed in a digital-first, customer-centric business landscape. As an NBA legend and advocate for Black entrepreneurship, Johnson will explore how his lifelong commitment to dreaming big has pushed his off-court endeavors to new heights — and how leaders in digital, marketing and growth can meet this pivotal moment with similar courage to unlock boundless innovation.
To learn more visit Opticon 2022.
Tint World opens second San Diego shop
Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, an auto accessory and window tinting franchise, has opened its second location serving the San Diego area.
Tint World San Diego – La Mesa, owned by David Roche, provides premier automotive aftermarket services and accessories, including window tint, mobile electronics, audio and video equipment, paint protection films, and more.
“Tint World stands out in this industry for its full range of automotive products and services from the leading brands,” Roche said. “Tint World® also offers a proven, predictable franchise model with ongoing training, service, and support that empowers franchisees to deliver value and quality to the drivers in their area.”
In addition to offering premium products and services, Tint World® San Diego – La Mesa is staffed by a team of highly experienced and skilled technicians and installers.
“David has been committed to the Tint World vision since day one,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO and president of Tint World. “He’s carefully implemented our franchise systems and processes, which has set him up for sustained success. That’s a powerful statement about the opportunities and rewards available for franchisees through our model.”
Tint World San Diego – La Mesa serves El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Chula Vista, Spring Valley, National City, Coronado, Lakeside, Broadway Heights, and Point Loma and is located at 7360 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, California 92115. To book an appointment, request a quote, or find out more about Tint World®’s products and services, call (619) 877-8330 or visithttps://www.tintworld.com/locations/ca/san-diego-la-mesa-094.
Last call: California Competes Tax Credit
Applications close Aug. 15 for companies looking to expand or retain jobs in California. If your business is looking to grow over the next five years or is considering leaving California, you may be eligible for up to $85 million in tax credits from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
Join the hundreds of San Diego companies that have benefitted from the program. Awards are primarily based on the following factors:
• Number of jobs created or retained
• Anticipated amount of new capital investments
• Overall economic benefit to the state
• Opportunities for future growth and expansion
San Diego Automotive Museum invites
you to Cars & Coffee event on Aug. 28
The San Diego Automotive Museum will hold its next monthly Cars & Coffee community event on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in its Balboa Park location. See cars of all makes and models while enjoying coffee and donuts courtesy of Donald Sewell from Geico.
Some exciting cars on display in the “Cars with Character Exhibit” include a Speed Racer, the Ecto- 1 from the 2016 Ghostbusters Film, and the Bat Cycle from the 60’s TV series. This amazing new exhibit also includes Herbie, KITT, the Mystery Machine, and the Pizza Planet truck from Pixar films as well as a jeep from Jurassic Park.
Future Cars & Coffee events are generally held on the third Sunday of each month. Please check the museum’s website for the most up-to-date event information: www.sdautomuseum.org.
